Now That Redistricting Is Done, How Did We Do?
Congressional Map
Legislative Map
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What Is Redistricting?
Why Does It Matter?
What Is At Stake?
Who Is In Charge Of Redistricting?
Resources
What is Redistricting?
Redistricting is the process of redrawing our political boundaries for state and federal representation.
This process happens once every 10 years. That means these political boundaries will be used for the next decade.
Having your district fairly represent your community is essential for ensuring you get the representation you deserve.
These lines are drawn based on input from advocates, other interested parties and (most importantly) people like you – but only if you make your voice heard.
Now is the time to get involved!
Why Does It Matter?
Redistricting impacts who runs for office, who is elected, and especially what policies become law.
Fair maps are essential to making sure your voice is heard.
More than 48% of New Jersey’s population are people of color. In 11 out of 21 counties, the combined Black, Latina/Latino and Asian population will soon exceed 37% - which would allow for the drawing of people of color coalition districts.
People have moved in, out and around our state in the last decade.
New Jersey is not the same as it was 10 years ago.
Our maps do not reflect who we are.
We must change that.
What Is At Stake?
Your community and your voice.
If we don't pay attention, those in power can meet behind closed doors and draw voting maps to benefit themselves, not you.
Those in power shouldn’t cut up your neighborhoods to suit their needs — your community should be able to come together to elect the person you think best represents you.
Who Is In Charge Of Redistricting?
In New Jersey, for legislative and congressional redistricting, we have bipartisan commissions - an equal number of Democrats and Republicans, with one independent tie-breaker.
Traditionally, both commissions, either because it is required by the constitution or by custom, hold three public hearings during the process.
The commissions are required to have geographic diversity in their membership.
There is no other required public participation component and no other diversity requirement in the makeup of the commissions.
Redistricting is the foundation of our representative democracy.
All communities – especially historically marginalized communities, like Black and other communities of color – must have a voice in the process.
2010-2020 Racial Equity Legislative Map Comparison
How did we do?
- The Fair Districts Coalition Unity map succeeded at centering racial equity and fairly representing residents of New Jersey.
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The certified 2023 Legislative map made some improvements in centering racial equity:
- 17 out of 40 districts are majority people of color (LD 5, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37), up from 15 in the current map.
- In getting two new majority districts, there are now only 7 additional influence districts, compared to 8 in the current map. (LD 1, 2, 7, 11, 14, 16, 38). One of the influence districts became a majority district.
- People of color have greater influence in 1 additional district compared to the current map. (24 districts over 35% POC in the new map vs. 23 in previous map)
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However, did not go as far as we would like in other areas:
- There is one majority Black district (LD 28) and one Black plurality district (LD 34), the same as in the current map.
- There are two majority Hispanic districts (LD 33 & 35), and two plurality Hispanic districts (LD 20 & 29) the same as in the current map.
- There are no Asian plurality districts, the same as it is in the current map, despite the explosive growth of the Asian population in New Jersey. LD 18 remains an Asian influence district, and LD 32 comes close to being a second one.
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More concerningly, it went backwards in one specific area:
- LD 28 goes from 57% to 72% Black - which really looks like the Black population in the area was "packed".
State Legislative Unity Map Supporters
State Legislative Unity Map Resources
Adopted State Legislative Map 2022-2030
See the newly adopted map.
2010-2020 Racial Equity Congressional Map Comparison
How did we do?
- The Fair Districts Coalition Racial Equity Congressional map succeeded at centering racial equity and fairly representing residents of New Jersey.
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The certified 2022 Congressional map made some improvements in centering racial equity:
- People of color have greater influence in 4 additional districts compared to the current map. (CD 2, 3, 5, 11)
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However, did not go as far as we would like in other areas:
- Only 5 districts are majority people of color, the same as it is in the current map. (CD 6, 8, 9, 10, 12)
- There are no Asian influence districts, the same as it is in the current map.
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More concerningly, it went backwards in one specific area:
- It eliminated a Hispanic VAP majority district (CD 8).
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5 out of 12 districts are majority people of color (CD 6, 8, 9, 10, 12) |
6 out of 12 districts to be majority people of color (CD 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) |
5 out of 12 districts are majority people of color (CD 6, 8, 9, 10, 12) |
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1 out of 12 districts are influence districts (over 30% VAP) for people of color (CD 1) |
4 out of 12 districts are influence districts for people of color (over 30% VAP) (CD 1, 2, 3, 7) |
5 out of 12 districts are influence districts for people of color (over 30% VAP) CD (1, 2, 3, 5, 11) |
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6 out of 12 districts are either majority districts or influence districts for people of color (CD 1, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12) |
10 out of 12 districts are either majority districts or influence districts for people of color (CD 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) |
10 out of 12 districts are either majority districts or influence districts for people of color (CD 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) |
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Contains a Black VAP majority district (CD 10) |
Contains a Black VAP majority district (CD 10) |
Contains a Black VAP majority district (CD 10) |
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Contains a Hispanic VAP majority district (CD 8) |
Contains a Hispanic VAP majority district (CD 8) |
Does NOT contain a Hispanic VAP majority district (CD 8) |
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Does NOT contain a Hispanic influence district (CD 8) |
Contains a Hispanic plurality district (CD 9) |
Contains 2 Hispanic plurality districts (CD 8, 9) |
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Does NOT contain any Asian influence districts (over 20% VAP) |
Contains two Asian influence (over 20% VAP) districts (CD 6 & CD 11) |
Does NOT contain any Asian influence districts (over 20% VAP) |
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Meets fair redistricting principles, such as equal population, contiguity, and partisan fairness.
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Meets fair redistricting principles, such as equal population, contiguity, and partisan fairness.
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Meets fair redistricting principles, such as equal population, contiguity, and partisan fairness.
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Download a full pdf copy of the Racial Equity Congressional Redistricting Map.
Download the shape files or a CSV copy.
(Note: mapping software may be required)
See our PlanScore!
Communities of Interest
Read our Communities of Interest Report.
Adopted New Jersey Congressional Districts: 2022-2031 Map
See the newly adopted map.
Racial Equity Map Supporters
The organizations supporting this map include the Association of Black Women Lawyers - NJ; Fair Share Housing Center; Faith in New Jersey; the Inclusion Project at Rutgers Law School; Good Government Coalition of New Jersey, Latino Action Network; Latino Coalition of New Jersey; League of Women Voters of New Jersey; Make the Road New Jersey; NAACP New Jersey State Conference; New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice; New Jersey Appleseed; NASW-NJ; New Jersey Black Issues Convention; New Jersey Citizen Action; New Jersey Institute for Social Justice; New Jersey Working Families; SALDEF; Salvation and Social Justice; SOMA Action and United Black Agenda (the “Racial Equity Map Coalition”).